This collection will provide readers with glimpses of the good life through the literary art of poetry. There may be other audiences with different uses. Positive psychology practitioners will be able to integrate the poems into presentations or materials. English teachers will find poems that could be used to promote a positive view of human flourishing.
II. What is to be submitted?
A. The poem
The poem should be a previously published poem that brings you enhanced well being each time you read it. It should be a poem that you turn to kindle good things within you. The anthology editor must be able to obtain copyright approvals for the work to be included. (We are not looking for original poetry submittals.)
B. A brief description
Please include a brief description of why you are submitting this poem. This description can speak to well being, or it can be a description of what this poem means to you, or both. You will receive an opportunity to confirm/refine if the poem and description have been accepted.
III. Poetry defined for the purposes of this anthology
Poetry, like beauty, can be in the eye of the beholder. Like beauty, there are universal qualities recognizable to an appreciative eye. So is the case in collecting poetry evocative of well being, human flourishing, or well lived lives. Without landing a potentially confining definition of poetry for our purposes, here are key elements to consider when choosing poems. This collection will include poetry that fit the following descriptions.
• Uses economy of language, just enough and just the right words.
• Transcends the literal through image, metaphor and/or revelation.
• Expands our worlds, it does not diminish.
• Is ripe and rich with meaning.
IV. Positive poetry defined
Flourishing is more than the absence of disease or mental illness. While the mitigation of disease is necessary, admirable work, the drive to thrive is about the best of us. It celebrates excellence. The Poetry of Well Being is poetry savoring what’s best in humanity.
In his new work, Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, expands the discipline of positive psychology from happiness to well being, measured by the degree of one’s flourishing. Seligman has identified four elements that lead one toward a flourishing life: positive emotions, positive relationships, meaning and accomplishment. (See well being theory link.)
While one could argue that all poetry serves humanity in some positive ways, the poetry found in this anthology is poetry that celebrates what's good in life. In most cases, a poem will evoke more than one pillar of well being. That is expected and that is beautiful.
V. Evaluation criteria
A. Reflects one or more pillars of well being- Positive emotions
- Relationships
- Meaning
- Accomplishment
C. Abundance, non-zero sum depictions
D. Poetic depth (not a limerick, for example)
E. Image, metaphor and/or revelation
F. Evokes aspects of well being in a reader
References
Fredrickson, B. (2009). Positivity: Groundbreaking research reveals how to embrace the hidden strength of positive emotions, overcome negativity, and thrive. New York, NY: Crown Publishers/Random House.
Seligman, M.E.P. (in press). In search of well being.
Seligman, M.E.P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York, NY: Free Press, Simon and Shuster, Inc.
